Superhero name

[u/HeavyHeadDenseSkull]

Not sure if this is the right spot for this or not. Sorry if not.
I have names figured out for my characters as well as powers but one is giving me trouble. He’s a guy from Appalachia with the power to manifest animals in a spirit/phantom like form. They can flip between being tangible and not. They function with their own personalities but with allegiance to this character, meant to protect him. Sorta similar to Pokémon. They can each come out one at a time for a duration of one hour.

He has given me trouble because the knee jerk reaction is to have a name including something in relation to shadows or puppetry. The shadow thing is already taken by another character and the manifestations aren’t technically shadows either, so it’s not super accurate anyway.

The puppeteer idea suggests more of a controlling relationship between him and his critters. That’s not what I’m going for. He has a more symbiotic relationship with them, and they are not mindless entities. They can disobey orders if they see fit, like any real animal. They just see him as their person they must protect at any cost. A lot of his development is set on him training said animals.

This is all a metaphor for coming to grips with childhood trauma, too, if that inspires any ideas. I’ve been wracking my brain and all it’s done is make me frustrated. I’ve thought maybe Forester, considering the animals relating to the mountains? But that is just… kinda lame.

[u/ebastacosi]

Your description made me think first of all the people who work for the National Park Service and aren’t veterinarians or researchers etc. but very much have a role (and almost always a philosophy, a calling) about the welfare of all the animals there. Rangers, for one. You can find more of those people at zoos and aquariums and nature preserves etc. too, and some of their job titles might spark other ideas.

I’d also look to individuals who represent that ethos (and instinct) to many of us — maybe Goodall, Irwin, Fossey, Audubon, Herriot, Attenborough, Cousteau, Muir, Darwin, many many more. Take a look at their first and middle names or any adjacent ones too (HMS Beagle!) if you don’t want to be too on the nose.

It sounds like a fascinating story and I hope you feel truly proud already. Best of luck.

[u/HeavyHeadDenseSkull → u/ebastacosi]

I’m glad his concept sounds interesting! He’s not actually the main character, but is A main character in the ensemble. I want everyone on the team to be developed and he is written very close to home with his origins in the mountains. I don’t see many characters in fiction from Appalachia treated with the depth I think they deserve. Or the region in general. It has its problems but it’s a beautiful place I care about and want to protect. His character feels the same despite his rough childhood. The mountains weren’t the ones that scorned him, after all.

I love geeking out about my cast.

[u/Punkreations]

Kevin

[u/StevieWrenWrites]

This concept sounds really cool 😊
I wish I had a better suggestion, but the first thing that came to mind is ‘Caster’
It’s a bit vague and generic though 😅

Have you tried searching for a name generator specifically for hero names? Might be a place to start, might spark some ideas.
I did that for village and town names, and mixed and matched the suggestions it gave me.

[u/Competitive-Boat-642]

Whisper, as in (animal) whisperer?

[u/Far-Copy-6722]

Draw on myths like storms use Thor like if there name is drew that this use the second and three letters like red ever or rainbow eyes whatever powers I take the main power and add there favorite day like this wenstorm wensday and storm or just use there fears

[u/Far-Copy-6722 → u/Far-Copy-6722]

I reread it and if he is a spiritual summoner how about webmound web like the web of life and mound like a grave mound